2020 Chinese Zodiac: Year of the Metal Rat

2020 is the Year of the Metal Rat — a Yang Metal year. The animal sign is the Rat, the first of the 12-animal cycle.

2020 carries the Metal element (Yang Metal). Element is set by the year's heavenly stem and cycles every 10 years, so the full Metal Rat combination returns only once every 60 years.

Those born in 2020, the Year of the Rat, are traditionally described as quick-witted, resourceful, and adaptable. With the Metal element added, determination, structure, and resilience are emphasised.

The Rat is traditionally most compatible with the Dragon, Monkey, Ox.

Almost — but the Chinese zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year (late January or early February), not January 1. So someone born in early 2020, before that year's Chinese New Year, is actually a Pig (the 2019 sign). If your birthday is in late January or early February, enter your full date of birth in the Age Calculator to confirm your exact sign.